four examples of the content you could make for your site's membership |
Creating content for your membership site can be daunting on the initial stages However, it doesn't have to be. Just give one of the templates that have been tested.
And then, at the dark of night, you get up with a cold sweat then realize:
If you're like me, you'll need two cups of coffee to get out of the panic and formulate a plan.
However, since nobody should have to drink that much caffeine that late at night except writers on a deadline and students approaching the dreaded finals season, I've decided to share my plan -- along with some examples of different types of content you could make for your membership website.
#1. Resources that can be downloaded
What are the most common ways to browse for templates on the internet when you need to create your own workbook, or even put together an official form?
A lot of times, surely? I do it all of every day. You can find me there in Typeform's theme gallery any time I have to create something sleek without investing too much cash or my day into it (or worse, harassing designers).
Not a template or a person? No worries. The term "downloadable" doesn't necessarily require templates or forms, though those are one of the oldest examples.
They are particularly helpful when your audience is predominantly female, in fact. Nearly twice as many women are avid readers of ebooks than men.
And the success for creating short ebooks in Google Slides -- part of the free software we suggested in our first section -- is demonstrated. One entrepreneur uses it to create all of his lead magnets (short, tasty ebooks that allow him to grow his email lists).
Open Jazz Studio includes audio downloads, lead sheets, transcriptions, and workbooks as part of the services they offer for their Piano Access Pass membership program.
Guides and worksheets are a popular staple for downloadable items on membership websites.
Here's an example of this through the " Quick Wins " benefit of the Smart Insights' membership program.
As for topics to be addressed with your download resources, go back to the drawing board and examine your target audience. What kind of resources will help them achieve their goals with your membership?
Do they need to keep track of their progress? Make a checklist for them or a workbook.
Do you offer assistance for business? Create an editable spreadsheet that allows them to enter the data they want to input and then run it through crucial measures.
You get the idea. If it's helpful for your members, it's content you should create..
#2. Mini-courses , tutorials and lessons
When it comes to being helpful What could be better than a step-by step guideline that backs up its advice with data and guides your steps in the right direction?
(Probably However, I'm bias about the data. It's sort of my thing.)
Blog Biz School's Chantel Arnett is the expert in combining this type of material with downloadable resources. Check out what she offers:
When her content isn't directly suitable for use in templates, she's able to use it in providing a brief and precise education about material relevant to her audience.
It's good to know that mini-courses and tutorials don't necessarily require huge cost to create.
It could be as simple as screen share videos that guide members through a particular set of tasks -- such as learning a new skill using software or tips for preparing for an interview or even exclusive blog posts where you outline procedures in great detail.
But for the best results, incorporate video as much as you can. Videos can be used to provide on-demand instruction and increases retention of learners, as well as other advantages. .
Additionally, it's more portable as opposed to a text wall This is crucial given that 70% of students use their smartphones to access learning materials.
Chantel isn't the only one who's seen success using this type of material by joining a subscription. MarketingProfs uses tutorials and video learning as the mainstays of the resources they offer for members, as well.
Have you noticed that they've included additional elements found on this content list? If MarketingProfs is a two-time bestseller and marketing guru Ann Handley is doing it then you're definitely on the right track.
Plus, it now lets you keep track of a user's progression through your online courses and provides all the more reason to implement this kind of content when you look into the studies behind using and assessing videos-based education.
The topics of content and the inspiration will (again) come down to what's relevant to the users using it.
The good news is that you have the capability to keep track of your tutorials' and mini-courses' success using many data points -- not just the remarks and feedback of users, but the progression of the students while they navigate through the files -- determining the most beneficial content is now easier than ever.
The content you create should not all be static. If you'd rather engage members in a more direct way, think about this third type of content you can offer on your site for members.
#3. Interactive content
The problem with downloadable resources and mini-courses is that they're essentially passive. Whatever charming you are, they're uninteresting materials where the primary interaction is through observation.
It also adds more onus to the content creator to create more detailed content.
88% of professionals who work as marketers say that interactive content distinguishes their company from the rest of the market.
Contrary to the other courses However, it is important to be careful not to overly scholastic when it comes to engaging content. While a quiz on the subjects that you have covered in your mini-courses could actually be beneficial, people are choosing a self-paced course because of an reason.
At the minimum most likely, they don't have the free time to emulate a more traditional schooling experience, even if they do want it.
Therefore, it is best to make sure that your interactive contentespecially quizzes -at a moderate level, similar to the content below .
If you have a membership that is geared towards new marketers, as an example, you might create the following quizzes:
What is your most loved burger toppings say about your best marketing channel.
Pick five colors, I'll show you how marketing excellent you are.
Are you a Don Draper or Walt Disney? Find out within two minutes.
Naturally, this humorous style of writing could not appeal to your target audience. But therein is the problem.
As it's an interactive medium the audience can notify you that this is an issue and allow you to alter your course.
In the serious aspect of matters, live webinars can be another type of content that you can create for your customers. As the name implies, this is material that you'll develop in real-time However, preparation must be completed in advance.
The entrepreneur Tiffany Williams offers weekly webinars for her subscribers as part of the Rich Girl Academy program.
Each month, she selects an interesting topic that is relevant to her listeners and then someone in the "team consisting of the Oprahs" is engaged with her viewers via live seminars.
Since live webinars are very time-consuming, the schedule is an ideal plan for those who are looking to dive the depths of engaging content, without weighing down their schedules.
Quizzes and polls, on the other hand, are more forgiving and can be created and released at any point. A weekly schedule of once a week is an excellent starting point but if your members start withdrawing or showing low participation, you might want to spread the quizzes and polls out more.
You can then top off your posts by adding a touch of spoken word.
#4. Audio files and podcasts
This last form of content is part-interactive and part-downloadable resource, but such a different content form that what we've talked about to date, that it is worthy of an additional mention.
It's quite a distance from posts on blogs which typically have a read-time of around 37 seconds , no matter how long they are.
But this is the best thing about this type of content:
Amy Porterfield makes use of them as well employing many of the same strategies used by Justin employs by keeping subscribers entertained with expert interviews, discussing relevant topics and trends within her field, as well as giving listeners actionable tips.
Final word:
Podcasts, audio files and live streams can be a simple, affordable kind of content you can create on your website for membership ahead of time and regularly as well. With such high audience resonance it is definitely worthwhile adding them to your arsenal.
To make the most of the opportunity, you should invite speakers from industry as well as other experts to discuss trends in your industry, as well as jam-packing a presentation that is action-oriented to give your guests.
Lips that are loose could sink ships However, when it comes to membership websites content, they're the perfect floating device to ensure you're in the forefront of levels of customer satisfaction.
The content of your blog
The process of creating content for your site might be a daunting task at beginning However, it doesn't have to be that way forever.
Be sure to keep these tips in mind when you're looking for content to watch:
It should be backed up to cloud storage systems. Data loss can have detrimental effects for small-scale businesses and, with the abundance of options, there's no reason for you to put your data in danger.
While you should create some content before you get started, you don't have to prepare everything on day one. In fact, you probably should not. How your audience members react to and connect with will influence the content strategy you develop in the future.
If you decide to get into Start with downloadable materials like templates, workbooks eBooks, infographics, and ebooks.
It is likely that they are sign-up for your subscription because they want to learn about something. Give them that knowledge with mini-courses as well as tutorials that offer rapid wins all throughout the day.
You can then mix it by adding interactive features such as surveys, quizzes, or live webinars. Your membership site will go from being a collection of doodles to a captivating one-of-a-kind.
Finally, loosen up your mouth and record audio files and podcasts.
Podcasts in particular are wildly popular for other membership websites and they are relatively simple to create compared to other kinds of content.
Don't be afraid. Though it can be overwhelming at first, when you're able to get your content flowing and content, you'll discover your style and your team members will blend perfectly with you.